More Right Rudder

Understanding Flight Training Security Rules

In this episode of the More Right Rudder podcast we are joined by Julean Thorpe. She is the manager of flight training security programs at the TSA. Thorpe and her team joined us at NAFI Summit in January 2025 at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. This episode was recorded live at the event. This conversation starts with a brief history of flight training security rules, and then moves into the current policy. We talk about the new website registration requirement and security coordinator position, changes to security awareness training frequency, and the new procedures for training non-U.S. citizens. NAFI thanks Thorpe and her team for taking the time to join us for this episode and all of their efforts to keep the CFI community informed. 
Join NAFI: https://www.nafinet.org
TSA Flight Training Security Program: https://www.fts.tsa.dhs.gov/home
Thank you to AOPA for sponsoring this episode:

Five Proven Tips to Improve Your Instruction

Thank you to AOPA for sponsoring this episode. 
In this episode of More Right Rudder, we are joined by Justin Moore. Moore is an Army fixed and rotorwing pilot who transferred to the Coast Guard to pursue instructional opportunities. He's also a civilian flight instructor. Moore shares with us his five tips to improve your instruction. There is also lively conversation about our different experiences and the benefits of learning from others.
If you aren't already a NAFI member, please consider joining us! Learn more at https://www.nafinet.org
 

The Writers Behind the Stories w/ Cambrie Foster

Thank you to the sponsors of this episode, ASA and AOPA!
If you aren't already a NAFI member, please consider joining us to support the continued production of this content. Podcast listeners receive $10 off their membership using code POD49 at https://www.nafinet.org.
In this episode of the Writers Behind the Stories, NAFI Director of Publications and Editor Beth Stanton is joined by Cambrie Foster. Foster is a young, only 19 years old, and enthusiastic flight instructor. She has also built a significant social media following that she uses to help fund her flying. Listen to how Foster initially didn't think aviation was for her and transformed into a social media influencer. She shares the power of mentorship and some of the trials she's faced as a young, female flight instructor. Check her out on Instagram @flying.foster

Your Essential Guide to the FAA's New Medical Policy w/ Dr. Keith Roxo

If you aren't already a member, consider joining NAFI to support this and other great content: https://www.nafinet.org. Podcast listeners get $10 off a new or renewal NAFI membership with code POD49 on the NAFI website. 
Thank you to AOPA and Avemco for sponsoring this episode.
 
https://www.aopa.org
https://www.avemco.com
In this episode of More Right Rudder we explore the FAA's new medical policies with senior AME, Dr. Keith Roxo from Wingman Med. You don't want to miss this engaging episode full of information to help you and your customers navigate the changing landscape of medical certification. The discussion starts with a deep dive on the new color vision testing requirement. Next, the conversation moves to the defer/deny policy. We review the policy in detail and spend time reviewing how to find an AME who can help and other options for sourcing medical application information. 
Useful Links:
Podcast episode: The Legal Perspective on Medical Applications w/ Anthony Ison - https://youtu.be/q3gFchzuR5E
FAA AME Guide: https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide
Wingman Med Blog: https://wingmanmed.com/blog/ 
 
 

Celebrating Success in 2024 and What's Next in 2025

Thank you to Avemco and AOPA for sponsoring this episode!
 
Podcast listeners save $10 on your new or renewing NAFI membership with code POD49 at checkout on https://www.nafinet.org.
It's been a busy year here at NAFI. Joining this episode of More Right Rudder are Karen Kalishek, our board chair, and Paul Preidecker, NAFI's president. In this fast-paced conversation we cover a lot of ground on what NAFI accomplished in 2024 and what we're looking forward to in 2025. This discussion includes membership growth, staffing changes, events, advocacy, and a review of our new and upcoming content. You also don't want to miss an update on our new website and membership platform coming in 2025.

Master Your Departure Briefing w/ Collin McDonald

Thank you to the sponsor's of today's episode: AOPA and Icom!
 
 
 
Join NAFI: https://www.nafinet.org Podcast listeners receive a $10 discount with code POD49 at checkout. 
In this episode of More Right Rudder we are joined by aviation professor Collin McDonald for an in-depth look at departure briefings. Most of us are doing the minimum, or no briefing at all, without realizing how critical these briefings can be in the event of an emergency. Collin takes us through his journey of developing an effective briefing beginning with his own experiences and data analysis. The discussion continues to include the many elements to consider in a briefing, how to customize briefings, and tools, tips, and techniques for improving your, and your students, departure briefings.
Links: FAA Safety Passenger Briefing: https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/library/documents/2015/May/102764/05-18-15%20Passenger%20Safety%20Briefing%20JulAug2014.pdf
Richard G. McSpadden Report: https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/air-safety-institute/accident-analysis/richard-g-mcspadden-report 

Rules and Guidance and Policy, Oh My!

Thank you to the sponsors of this week's episode:
 
Over the past few months the FAA has announced two new final rules, revised several Advisory Circulars, issued a new Advisory Circular, and we're still waiting on official policy to update for DPEs and ASIs. Join NAFI Board Chair Karen Kalishek and NAFI Program Development Manager, Sarah Staudt, your usual host of More Right Rudder, as they explore these rule changes. This conversation covers the removal of CFI expiration dates from CFI signatures, a new definition of the word "passenger", CFI recent experience options, the expansion of CFI privileges in Part 61, and many other associated topics. Check out the links below for links to official sources and NAFI's short explainer YouTube videos.
Links:
Join NAFI - https://www.nafinet.org
Removal of CFI expiration dates final rule explainer video: https://youtu.be/hLDTS9J9bsM
New "passenger" definition and CFI privileges explainer video: https://youtu.be/nrRmft_y3Os
CFI Signatures and Advisory Circulars explainer video: https://youtu.be/CAllLnYGIFI 
Removal of CFI expiration dates final rule: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/10/01/2024-22018/removal-of-expiration-date-on-a-flight-instructor-certificate-additional-qualification-requirements
"Passenger" definition and CFI privileges final rule: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/10/02/2024-22009/public-aircraft-logging-of-flight-time-training-in-certain-aircraft-holding-special-airworthiness?utm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list&utm_medium=email&utm_source=federalregister.gov 
Part 61: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61?toc=1
Part 141: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-141?toc=1
Part 142: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-142?toc=1
FAA Airmen Inquiry: https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/airmeninquiry/ 
AC 61-65J: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1043278
AC 61-91K: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1043280
AC 61-98E: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1043281
AC 61-83K: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1043279
AC 61-145: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1042632 
 

The Writers Behind the Stories w/ Joel Stoller

Join NAFI today! Listeners to More Right Rudder receive $10 off their new and renewal NAFI membership. Use the code POD40 at checkout on https://www.nafinet.org.
 
Thank you to Sporty's and AOPA for sponsoring this episode of More Right Rudder. 
https://www.sportys.com/
https://aopa.org/
 
In this episode of the Writers Behind the Stories, NAFI Director of Publications and Editor Beth Stanton is joined by Joel Stoller. Stoller is a highly experienced aviator and instructor with nearly 50 years and more than 25,000 hours of experience. He is also a prolific writer sharing his knowledge and stories in a number of publications, including NAFI's Mentor magazine. Listen to his fascinating tale on how he got started in aviation, the people who played a role in his formation, and his passion for continuous education.

Promoting your Instructional Services

Join NAFI: https://www.nafinet.org
Thank you to the sponsors of this episode of More Right Rudder, AOPA and Avemco.
In this episode we're joined by Adriana Barragan who is a CFI and advocate of CFIs who want to start or run their own teaching business. She's the co-founder of ORKA, a service that provides CFIs with a learning, scheduling, and business management system for creating and sharing their training services. Our discussion includes a range of topics from communicating our offerings, determining value, setting the training pace, and using visuals to draw in customers.
Links:
https://www.aopa.org
https://www.avemco.com/
https://www.flyorka.com
Don't forget! Podcast listeners get $10 off their new or renewal NAFI membership. Use the code POD49 at checkout on https://www.nafinet.org

Choose a FIRC that Invests in Aviation Safety

Episode 110 of More Right Rudder is sponsored by AOPA.
In this episode we'll meet with two members of AOPA's Air Safety Institute. Jodee Patten is the chief flight instructor, eFIRC and Paul Deres is the Vice President, Operations at ASI. This episode is about the eFIRC and how the dollars CFIs spend on the course are directly reinvested into aviation safety. The eFIRC offers CFIs elective module options, access to expert CFIs for questions, and includes all FAA renewal paperwork processing. Be sure to check it out at: https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/cfis/flight-instructor-resources/cfi-renewal
Podcast listeners get $10 off their new or renewal NAFI membership. Use code POD49 at checkout on https://www.nafinet.org/.
 

Choosing an Online Ground School w/ Bret Koebbe

Join NAFI: www.nafinet.org
Podcast listeners can get a $10 discount to NAFI memberships by using discount code POD49 at checkout on the NAFI website.
This episode is sponsored by: Sporty's
Learn more about the NAFI member discount at Sporty's on our Member's Discount page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for joining us for another episode of More Right Rudder. In this episode we are joined by Bret Koebbe, Senior Vice President at Sporty's. Bret oversees Sporty's online course and video production teams. A key component in modern flight training is comprehensive ground knowledge and powerful study tools. This discussion starts with a look back at the evolution of ground schools and airman testing through the years. Then moves on to the characteristics and features CFI's should be looking for in a quality ground school to recommend to their customers. It wraps up with a review of Sporty's CFI portal.
Sporty's CFI portal: https://www.sportys.com/cfi

CFI Reinstatement with Pat Brown

Join NAFI: www.nafinet.org
Podcast listeners can get a $10 discount to NAFI memberships by using Discount Code: POD49
Thank you to the generous sponsors of this episode, AOPA and Lightspeed.
      
Check out AOPA's website for all the information on how they support CFIs.
Be sure to visit Lightspeed's website to learn all about their exclusive offer for NAFI members. 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this episode we are joined by Pat Brown, a long time NAFI member and DPE in Houston, TX. While I was at AirVenture this year I was asked daily how a CFI can go about reinstating their CFI certificate. It's a topic that's often overlooked in the CFI world that deserves some attention. With the information in this episode, you'll be able to confidently guide any expired CFI's who come your way looking for assistance to reinstate their certificate. 
Useful links:
14 CFR § 61.199 Reinstatement requirements of an expired flight instructor certificate.
AC 61-65H
FAA's Designee Management System - Your source for finding DPE's and their authorizations
FAA guidance for DPEs (though also very handy for CFIs) on issuing, reinstating, and renewing CFI certificates - FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 5, Chapter 2, Section 11

The Writers Behind the Stories w/ Samantha Bowyer

Join NAFI: www.nafinet.org
Podcast listeners can get a $10 discount to NAFI memberships by using Discount Code: POD49
This episode is sponsored by: Sporty's
Learn more about the NAFI member discount at Sporty's on our Member's Discount page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
In this episode of the Writers Behind the Stories, NAFI Publications Directors Beth Stanton is joined by Samantha Bowyer. Samantha is a highly accomplished aviation educator who is currently working as an associate professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is the 2024 recipient of the Jack J. Eggspuehler Service Award, NAFI's highest honor. In addition to her contributions to MENTOR magazine, Samantha plays a pivotal role in planning and supporting NAFI's Summit conference. 
Learn more about Samantha by checking out here bio here: https://faculty.erau.edu/Samantha.Bowyer
Learn more about NAFI Summit here: https://nafisummit.org/ 

Become a Glider CFI w/ Jason Depew

Join NAFI: www.nafinet.org
Podcast listeners can get a $10 discount to NAFI memberships by using Discount Code: POD49
This episode is sponsored by: Lightspeed Aviation
Learn more about the NAFI Exclusive Benefit combining the Trade Up Program and the CFI/Pro Pilot Program
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jason Depew joins this episode of More Right Rudder for an engaging discussion on gliders. We start the basics of how to obtain your glider ratings. From there you'll learn how you learning how to fly a glider will benefit your customers, rope breaks, and different types of gliders. We wrap up with a fun overview of the social slide of gliding. Check out these great resources Jason shares with our listeners: 
https://www.ssa.org/ - the SSA is the NAFI/AOPA/EAA of soaring.
https://www.ssa.org/where-to-fly-map/ - This is the SSA's directory of glider operations in the US. It's the best way to find a nearby place to fly gliders.
https://www.ssa.org/soaring-scholarships/ - The next best resource on the SSA website is their list of scholarships.
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/glider_handbook - The FAA's Glider Flying Handbook is a free PDF that goes nicely on an iPad and contains most of the knowledge a pilot needs to pass their checkride.

The Legal Perspective on Medical Applications w/ Anthony Ison

Join NAFI: www.nafinet.org
Podcast listeners can get a $10 discount to NAFI memberships by using Discount Code: POD49
This episode is sponsored by: AOPA
Learn more about their advocacy, education, and promotion of general aviation by clicking this link to their website.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------
In this episode, we are joined by Anthony Ison of The Ison Law Firm and the Pilot Lawyer Podcast. Anthony has been involved in aviation from a young age, is a private pilot, and is now an attorney specializing in aviation medical law. This discussion includes a range of topics from best practices for CFIs guiding their customers into the medical application process to understanding the benefits of using quality sources of medical information. As a reminder, this discussion is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not legal or medical advice from any entity.